Combined cigarette support, extinguisher, and economizer



May 26, 1953 CHEW HOCK LEONG 3 COMBINED CIGARETTE SUPPORT, EXTINGUISHER, AND ECONOMIZER Filed July 16, 1-949 FIGQ2. .FIG.3.

Iuvczvra'a-r 61150 #044 Zeb/Va 3}; zuuAJ/v Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIVIBINED CIGARETTE SUPPORT, EXTIN- GUISHER, AND EGONOMIZER Chew Hock Leong, Singapore, Straits Settlements Application July 16, 1949, Serial No. 105,146 In Great Britain November 4, 1948 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a self-adjusting combined cigarette support, extinguisher and economiser device.

The object of the invention is to provide:

Firstly, a self adjusting and safe cigarette support which will effectively prevent a cigarette, when applied thereto, from being easily dislodged by a jolt or strong breeze or from becoming unbalanced through the lighted end continuing to burn and consequent loss of weight.

Secondly, a self adjusting, semi-automatic ejecting and smoke free cigarette or cigarette butt extinguisher which will enable a lighted cigarette or butt, when applied thereto, to be slowly or rapidly extinguished at choice, free from smoke or danger of loose sparks and the extinguished butt to be ejected upon the insertion of either a fresh butt or by an ejector.

Thirdly, a cigarette economiser in the form of the extinguisher secondly mentioned above used as a slow extinguisher whereby a partially smoked cigarette when applied thereto is slowly extinguished without damage to the cigarette and without the burning of further tobacco, enabling the cigarette to be withdrawn and resmoked before the ember has died out, or to be withdrawn, relighted and resmoked without loss of tobacco in the meantime, at leisure, after the cigarette has been extinguished.

Fourthly, an ash-tray with one or more of the device firstly, secondly and thirdly mentioned above, attached or fixed thereto or forming part thereof.

In pursuance of the foregoing objects, the invention can be regarded as an extinguisher for cigarettes and comprises a lower U-shaped channel member of sheet metal having its longitudinal edges in a plane disposed at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the base of the channel member, and having ears at their upper ends provided with aligned apertures, and an upper channel member of sheet metal having its longitudinal edges more widely spaced than the longitudinal edges of the lower U-shaped channel member, the base of the upper channel member being flat and extending in a straight line substantially toward the plane of the apertures of the ears and provided with a rolled portion and a pivot pin extending through the rolled portion and supported in the apertures, the concave portions of the channel members facing and overlapping each other, the upper channel member, adapted by gravity to apply pressure to a lighted cigarette to cause extinguishment thereof while the lighted cigarette is supported by the lower U-shaped channel member.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one part of the device according to one of its forms;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the other part of the device according to this form;

Figure 3 is a side view of the device with the parts illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 assembled;

Figure 4 is a side view of the assembled device, showing the position of the parts when a lighted cigarette is applied thereto and the lighted end is exposed;

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, but showing the position assumed by the parts when the lighted, end of a cigarette butt has been extinguished or is in the process of being extinguished;

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, but showing the position assumed by the parts when an extinguished butt is in the process of being ejected;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one part of the device according to another of its forms;

Figure 8 is a side view of the device with the parts assembled, including the part illustrated in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side view of the assembly according to Figure 8 but showing the part according to Figure 7 in open position after the lighted end of a cigarette butt has been pinched to extinguish it;

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the device according to Figures 1 to 6 when applied in one position to an ash receptacle;

Figure 11 is a part side view, part sectional view of the device according to Figures 1 to 6 when applied in another position to an ash receptacle;

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the device according to Figures 7, 8 and 9 applied to an ash tray.

The device illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and 10 and 11 consists of two parts, namely, a metal trough I of curved cross-section forming a cradle for the cigarette or cigarette butt, and a metal flap 2 of inverted U-shape for co-operation with the trough.

The sides of the trough are formed with upwardly projecting ears la in each of which a hole lb is provided, the two holes being in register with each other. The sides of the trough slope in opposite directions from the ears towards the free ends of the trough, the slope at one end being less acute than at the other end.

I Moreover, the trough is. wider and deeper at the end where the sides have the more acute slope, than at the other end.

The flap 2 has a rearward extension 2a carrying a pin 3 the ends of which are engaged in the holes lb in the ears la of the trough so that the flap is free to hinge upwardly and downwardly. The flap is applied to the trough l suchwise as to overlie the narrower and shallower part of the latter and is of such length that its free end overhangs the narrow free end of the trough. The flap is, moreover, of such width that normally it rests on the edges of the trough with its side flanges 2b situated exteriorly of the sides of the trough but close thereto.

To use the device as a cigarette rest, the partially smoked cigarette is inserted lighted end first into the device at the wide end and pushed inwardly towards the narrow end. As the cigarette is pushed into the device it encounters the narrower and shallower section of the trough i and begins to lift up the flap 2 which, pivoting on its hinge, gives way to the cigarette until the cigarette protrudes beyond it, when the flap will have adjusted its position to the diameter of the cigarette. From the moment the cigarette encounters the flap and lifts it up, the flap bears on the cigarette and presses it against the bed of the trough. The cigarette is now securely held and is left in the device with a portion of the lighted end protruding beyond the end of the flap as shown in Figure 4. The lighted end thus protruding beyond the flap is exposed and is free to burn normally until its ember contacts the end of the flap and/or trough when, by reason of the heat-conducting properties of the parts i and the heat generated by the burning ember is absorbed and dissipated and the ember begins to die out and is eventually extinguished. As to how far the lighted end of the cigarette should initially protrude beyond the flap, depends on the length of time the cigarette is expected to continue burning whilst the cigarette is Parked in the device, and this period may be predetermined by adjusting the length of .the protrusion. The cigarette may be taken out of the device at any time by withdrawing it in a direction reverse to that in which it was inserted, and if itis folgotten, no harm results as it isautomatically extinguished after it has burned downto the flap or trough. There is no likelihood of its burnin past this point and, if it does, the ember *wil'l then,

be almost completely enclosed between the flap and the bed :of the trough, thus bringing an other factor, namely, the exclusion of .sufiicient air for combustion, which will ensure extinction of the lightedend.

When the device accordingvtoFigures l to Sand and 11 is used as an extinguisher for a lighted cigarette butt, the butt, with its'lighted-end foremost, is inserted in the wide end of the device until the lighted end comes into engagement-with the flap '2 which willthen act to extinguish this end by withdrawing heat from it and depriving it of sufficient air for combustion. When it is desired to remove the dead butt item the device, it suffices, as indicated in Figure 6, to inserta second butt by its lighted end the wide .endcf the device and push :it iorwa-rds so .as to move the dead butt along the trough i and cause :it to fall out of the narrow end of the device, thesecond but-t being then left inttheadeyice tor extinction of its lighted end and its subsequent ejection in the same manner. Alternatively, the dead iouttmay belremovedby means Lora object, such 4 as the end of a pencil, instead of using another butt for the purpose.

The flap 2 may be specially weighted or urged by a spring (not shown) so as to press with suflicient force against the cigarette.

Variations may be included to make the device better suited to the additional duty of an extinguisher, these variations consisting of a crusher and a button which are embodied in the construction according to Figures 7, 8 and 9.

The crusher is a wedge-like part provided under the flap 2 with the thin end extending toward the hinge and the thick end at the end of the flap. The crusher is narrow enough to fit easily and comfortably in the trough i and the thick end deep enough to reach almost to the bed of the narrow end of the trough when the device is at rest. In the construction according to Figures 7, 8 and 9, the crusher is formed in the flap itself by bending downwardly the material of the flap between the fianges 2b, as indicated at 20 in Figure 7.

On the upper face of the flap 2 there is provided .a button 4 of heat-insulating material, such as synthetic resin, glass, stone or-the like.

In using the device according to Figures 7, 8 and 9 as a'crusher, the lighted cigarette or lighted butt is inserted in the wide end of the device with the lighted end foremost until this end reaches but does not protrude beyond the narrow end of the trough i, the flap 2 then lying in engagement with the lighted end. Downward pressure is now applied by a finger of the hand to the button 54, with the result that the wedge shaped part 20 of the flap will penetrate the lighted end and crush it, thereby extinguishing the cigarette or butt. The appearance of a butt after the lighted end has been crushed, is indicated in Figure 9.

The device of the invention may includemeans to facilitate ejection of a butt from the trough I. To this end, and as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, one end of the pivot pin 3 may be extended and fitted with a knurled knob to which, upon being rotated between finger and thumb, will cause the flap 2 to swing upwardly. The rearward extension 20. of the flap ,2 is further extended to form an upwardly curved tongue 2d, the arrangement being such that, when the flap is swung upwardly, the tongue will pass :into the wide end ,of the device and engage with theadiacentend of the butt, driving the butt so that it falls out of the narrow end of the trough.

The device of the inventio ma be provided with a clip or other suitable means to enable it to be detachably or permanently secured to an ash receptacle or tray and used Whilst so attached. Figures 10 and .11 show the device according to Figures 1 to 6 applied to an ash receptacle.

Figure .10 the trough l is provided with .a clip or plate 5 so positioned that, when applied to theside wall of thereeeptacle 6;, the .cleyice will extend slightly downwards with its narrow ,end lying over the mouth of the receptacle.

:In Fi ure 11 the flap prov ded with a pla l which is so ar an d that when secured-to the interior face of th sidewall Inf-the receptacle :6, as tbymeans of rivets la, the device will lie entirely with-in the receptacle with its .wide end at the top and its narrow end at the bottom. In thiscase, the trough l execute the necessary s s mov ment on the pivot pin 3 insteadof t p :2 when .a cigarette or cigarette 'buttiis inserted in $116 device, ibut the eftect will, nevertheless, be the same.

Figure 12 shows the device when constructed in accordance with Figures 7, 8 and 9, applied as a permanent fixture to an ash tray 8, the device being secured to the upper marginal face of the tray so that its narrow end overhangs the mouth of the tray.

An ash receptacle or tray fitted with one or more of the devices according to the invention be safely used for all the purposes described herein, by the bedside, in the house or ofiice, in

car, railway-carriage, aeroplane, ship or other vehicle without fear of damage arising from spilt burning cigarette or cigar ends, such as burnt table cloths, table tops, clothes, cushions, carpets, curtains or even a confiagration. If used correctly the device will definitely obviate the nuisance arising from the emitting of pungent fumes from dying cigarette or cigar ends and, when fitted to an ash receptacle or tray, will avoid staining and the formation of charred deposits, so that the receptacle or tray will be easy to clean.

When a cigarette is applied to the device of the invention the flap 2 will, in addition to serving the purposes already referred to, act to hold the cigarette firmly so that it will not be dislodged by jolts or draughts, or overbalance as can happen with ordinary ash trays having supporting grooves when one end of the cigarette burns down.

I claim:

An extinguisher for a cigarette comprising a lower U-shaped channel member of sheet metal having its longitudinal edges in a plane disposed at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the base of the channel member, and having ears at their upper ends provided With aligned apertures, and an upper channel member of sheet metal having its longitudinal edges more Widely spaced than the longitudinal edges of the lower U-shaped channel member, the base of the upper channel member being fiat and extending in a straight line substantially toward the plane of the apertures of the ears and provided thereat with a rolled portion and a pivot pin extending through the rolled portion and supported'in the apertures, th concave portions of the channel members facing and overlapping each other, the upper channel member being adapted by gravity to apply pressure to a lighted cigarette to cause extinguishment thereof while the lighted cigarette is supported by the lower U-shaped channel member.

Cl-IEW HOCK LEONG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,759,925 Van Geloleren May 27, 1930 1,848,388 Seitz Mar. 8, 1932 2,274,498 Napolillo Feb. 24, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 312,558 Great Britain May 30, 1929 

